Must-See Shows on Streaming Services Right Now

Starring: Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox Created by: Tony McNamara Genre: Comedy/Drama

This genre-bending, anti-historical series chronicles the rise of Catherine the Great’s influence over 18th-century Russia in a hilarious, at times emotional, and altogether exhilarating manner. If you would enjoy dramatic retellings of royal tumult and controversy, mixed with refreshing comedy and some swoon-worthy romance, this will be a quick and wildly entertaining watch for you. Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult give show-stopping performances, and, not to mention, have amazing chemistry which often left me on the edge of my seat watching their storyline unfold. Romance aside, this series boasts beautiful sets, exquisite costumes, interesting, albeit embellished, history, and enough action to keep any watcher engaged. Huzzah!

Starring: Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Matthew Macfadyen, Nicholas Braun Created by: Jesse Armstrong Genre: Dark comedy/Drama

While the critical acclaim and considerable accolades this series has garnered in the span of its run-time can speak for itself, I can also confirm that Succession is worth the hype. This series explores the toils of corporate America through the dealings of a fictional media conglomerate family, as its complex array of disjointed, damaged, and calculated members vie for the top dog position, along with all of the immense power that comes with the job. Somehow, this show successfully brings watchers, like myself, to view some of the most out of touch, unlikeable characters through a lens of utmost sympathy, and beautifully illustrates the lasting impact of generational trauma on families under the public eye in the process. Along with a fair and greatly entertaining amount of drama, this series provides loads of hilarious dry humor that manages to lighten up some very heavy subject matter. Succession is arguably one of the best television series on the air right now, and I highly recommend giving it a try.

Starring: Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Kang Ki-young, Yoon-kyeong Ha Created by: Yoo In-shik Genre: Legal Drama

As an avid K-drama viewer, this drama caught my attention with its unique subject matter: a legal drama with its main character on the Autism spectrum. It was the first time I had seen a K-drama feature an underrepresented characteristic such as ASD as its focal point, and it was not disappointing. Each episode focuses on a different legal case worked on by Woo Young-woo, an eccentric and puzzling newbie attorney with a brilliant memory. While the cases opened in each episode are fully enough to keep viewers wanting more, Young-woo’s personal life and interactions with her peers, family, bosses, and love interest provide for a feel-good watch that also often depicts harsh realities of ableism in the workplace along with society in general. While the series’ characterization of Woo Young-woo’s autism might not be entirely relatable or accurate to some viewers, the creators take a sensitive and overall enjoyable approach to such a multi-faceted person and experience which is very heart-warming on the screen. Season 2 cannot come fast enough!

Starring: Ilana Glazer, Abbi Jacobson, Paul W. Downs, Hannibal Buress Created by: Ilana Glazer, Abbi Jacobson Genre: Sit-com

Broad City is a hilarious feat in comedy TV, which centers on the lives of two twenty-something best friends navigating relationships, jobs, and culture in New York City. Somehow, Abbi and Ilana’s daily activities are always fully derailed in such a hilarious, outlandish, strangely relatable manner which culminates in a fun and adventurous treat to watch. Overall, there is not much else to say about this series other than that it is laugh-out-loud funny, at times shocking, altogether heart warming, and that its simplicity ultimately makes it the smart and lovable series that it is. Please consider giving this series a watch; I can guarantee that five seasons is wholly not enough.

Starring: Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, Alyah Chanelle Scott Created by: Mindy Kaling, Justin Noble Genre: Comedy-drama

Looking for a fun, light-hearted TV show about campus life? Look no further, as this series provides all of the laughter, melodrama, and firsts that come with the college experience (albeit, without most of the homework) and that, as it is fun to note, was filmed on the University of Washington Seattle campus for much of its second season! The show follows the lives and newfound freedom of four girls living in a suite together their freshman year at the prestigious fictional Essex College, and explores the highs, successes, and hardships associated with their new environment. Sex Lives is a great series in that it is largely a feel-good celebration of sisterhood, which also deals carefully with themes of sexism, sexual harassment, and queer identity along the way. I would highly recommend this show to fellow college women, as well as anyone who would enjoy a drama-packed, yet warm and light-hearted series to get lost in this fall.